With all these pictures I’ve been taking of myself you would get the impression I am a bit narcissistic. The fact is, as time goes on I regret not having really nice pictures from my younger years to look back on. So I thought I’d get some done before I get any older!
I wanted to mark the occasion with something special, including a makeover to get the most out of it. My friend Natalie had done a shoot with Alter Ego and the pictures came out really well so I put it on my Christmas list and my parents kindly got me a voucher for my present. Alter Ego do different packages – lingerie photos, couples, friends and vintage. Given my love of the vintage 1940’s and 1950’s look, the choice was obvious!
The studio is in Northampton, so I took a day off work to go. I got there for 12.00 and met Martin (the photographer) and Karen (the makeup artist). Upon arrival, I was given a warm welcome and they made me a coffee to enjoy whilst choosing the images I wanted to recreate.
I brought some of my own clothes but also they had a wide selection of dresses to choose from. I love dressing up so I was in heaven at this point! We picked a few scenarios to stage, then it was time for hair and makeup. Karen was brilliant and did a wonderful job!
Karen
Martin was great – really friendly, and instantly put me at my ease. He set up the studio whilst I was being dolled up, then we got down to shooting. A little direction and gentle encouragement and before you know it, we had some great pictures!
Martin setting up the studio
We started with some classic 1950’s poses. I fell in love with the blue and red dress!
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We then moved on to some classic photos in a simple white shirt to show off the striking makeup.
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We played around with a Film Noir style
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I tried my hand at singing
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Finally a few classic 1950’s teen style pictures
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I had a wonderful time and I love how the pictures came out. I would strongly recommend that you get in touch with Martin and book a photo shoot if you want some wonderful photos and some great memories!
To contact Martin, visit their website or call 01604 871187.
I’m not what you would call a festival-going type. In fact, I tend to avoid going to concerts, gigs etc and the idea of standing in a muddy field with the great unwashed listening to too-loud music doesn’t really appeal.
Back in 2009 I went to the Hop Farm festival, and although it was glorious weather I swore never to sleep in a tent again. I went to see Take That in 2011, which was fun, and in previous years I have been to Guilfest, but as a day visitor and it was mostly about the getting drunk and buying terrible clothes as mementos.
I do kind of feel like I have missed out from the whole festival/gig experience, so onto the list it went.
Natalie then tipped me off about the Vintage Nostalgia Festival, a 3-day event in Wiltshire, with camping, music, and my favourite – lots of vintage stalls. I love the 1940’s and 1950’s style and as I have previously blogged, I’ve recently even learned how to do the hairdo.
I borrowed a tent and bought a sleeping bag, and headed off to meet Nat and her family on the Friday evening after work. Luckily they had already set up the tent for me so we headed out to listen to some Rock ‘n’ Roll bands and indulge in a little dancing.
First night!
The first night in the tent was a mixed experience. My air mattress deflated overnight leaving me with my head and feet elevated whilst spine and bum found every dip and stone in the ground, and the thin canvas did nothing to mask the loud snoring from nearby tents. The only upside was that the sun woke me up so I emerged in time for breakfast and a bit of social interaction (a miracle for me on a Saturday morning!)
Our tents, Nat’s parents’ motor home, and breakfast under the gazebo
Nat’s brother seems to have every camping related gadget you can get. He had all this funky stuff like a sturdy table that packs up really small, bbq for cooking, little hob, fold-up gazebo, and all sorts of other little bits and pieces that makes camping feel a bit more civilised.
We spent some time doing our hair and makeup to fit in, then headed off to check out the stalls. 3 hours later and after only visiting about a quarter of the stalls, I’d spent an obscene amount of money and obtained 4 dresses, 4 belts, 2 hats, and a “fur” stole. My 1940’s look was almost complete (as well as several 1950’s and 60’s outfits) and it was time for us to join in a Swing class – something in between Rock n Roll, and Jive. It was fun, albeit a little basic and we were accosted by an overenthusiastic amateur who manhandled us around!
All the shopping… poor Chris got to carry the bags back!
After the class and a break for food, we continued our shopping spree. However we got rained off so only saw a few more stalls.
More shopping fun
Hair’s a bit ruined from the rain
All the hats
In the evening we joined Nat’s parents for dinner, then headed back out to enjoy some music and dancing. The evening started with a really lovely time in a cosy teepee where the New HawLeans Jug Band were playing. Absolutely brilliant and a wonderful atmosphere. We moved on to the main tent for some Rock n Roll, but the band was just finishing their set, so we enjoyed a little DJ intermission whilst the next band set up. Unfortunately they were insanely loud and I had to leave to save my poor eardrums! We braved the freezing cold to relocate to another tent, and jigged about to some music before deciding it was so cold it was bedtime.
Teepees, jug bands and ukuleles
We borrowed some extra blankets from Nat’s parents, and armed with these and a fresh (non-deflating) mattress, I toddled off to another broken night’s sleep. Morning dawned and we were already onto our final day. I wore one of my new 1950’s dresses but it was raining intermittently so it was paired with a not-at-all-vintage raincoat which kind of spoiled the look. A couple more purchases and enjoying some more music and it was sadly time to go home.
Sunday scattered sunshine & showers
The festival was fantastic, great atmosphere and brilliant music. Lots of vintage cars and engines for those that like that sort of thing, although the clothes stalls did pretty much wipe out my bank account! It was very family friendly with kids entertainers as well as lots of kids facilities.
Cool machines
Family fun
I think however that I have found my limit. I will go again – but will stay in a hotel next time!
I’ve always loved vintage style, and in particular I love the elegant hairstyles of the 1940’s with the Victory rolls and flawless looks.
I’ve had a vintage makeover before and loved it, but never managed to replicate the look for myself. Natalie and I met Lucy at a Vintage fair last year and hired her to do our hair for a friend’s wedding, so when we decided to learn how to do it ourselves, she was our first choice.
Lucy offered us the choice of going to her place, or coming to us – we chose for her to come to us, and met on a Saturday morning. She supplied all of the equipment, although she also brought a shopping list so that we could go buy they stuff for ourselves afterwards. She demo’d it on a model head first, it took about 10 minutes and looked really easy so I thought this one would be a cinch!
Lucy made it look easy
We started by curling one side of our hair in sections, then backcombing it. We thought we looked like the Who’s out of The Grinch!
Part one – crazy hair stage
We then smoothed out the outside, and twisted into a roll. This was my absolute nemesis and I ended up getting quite emotional when I couldn’t do it! It turns out my brain is not able to reverse the images I see in a mirror so I kept twisting the hair the wrong way and I got more and more frustrated.
In the end I had to abandon it and start again on the other side, which was much better, then go back to the original side to make a second roll. I finally managed to do something, it was quite messy but kind of in the right shape.
Part two – the finished articles! All thanks to Lucy (ignore my slightly swollen post-tears eyes)
I went out and bought all the gear and then a few days later I had another go. It actually turned out alright!
The finished article, quite proud!
Still need some practice, and when Natalie and I go to the Nostalgia festival next week we won’t have the luxury of curling tongs – but overall I feel like I might be able to pull it off without shaming myself!
I’d definitely recommend that if you fancy this, give Lucy a shout. She is absolutely brilliant, patient and encouraging, and she really knows her stuff. Or if you just want the ‘do without the hassle, get Lucy to do it for you, she is a hair genius!
40 things... 